However Mr Crosier later checked the numbers for himself, and realised his syndicate had matched five lottery balls and the bonus ball - meaning a prize of thousands of pounds. He returned to the store and insisted the shopkeepers find the ticket. The winning ticket was found after a long search.

Lottery operator Camelot launched an inquiry and found that all four of the syndicate's tickets had been scanned, including the one with £79,887 prize. Shop assistant Imran Pervais, 26, of Milton Rd, Gravesend was arrested by Kent Police, and later found guilty of fraud by false representation.